Desktop Saltwater Aquarium

"A self-contained, low maintenance REEF that will light up any desk with brightly colored coral." So goes the blurb on PJ Reefs' desktop-sized saltwater aquarium. I have to say, mine eyes are digging the brightly colored coral, all lit up like a Christmas tree or Cornelius' pant leg when he falls asleep and I tie a firecracker to his ankle to wake him up. And those words "self-contained" and "low maintenance" are pretty alluring. But...I don't exactly have the best track record with keeping living things under my guardianship alive. And while I'm stoked that one by-product of this quirky personality trait is never being asked to babysit or interact with children, sometimes I think it would be really nice to have something on my desk to keep me company other than Meghan, my Ex Knifeholder. And as long as I don't have to feed it, water it, clean it, or watch it do piss-poor somersaults and draw pictures of rabbits that look nowhere close to anything resembling rabbits every day, maybe a miniature saltwater aquarium will survive under my tutelage after all.

PJ Reef ecosystems thrive in 6" high x 3" diameter glass cylinders integrated with hovering plastic lamps to balance their growth and make them look pretty for their owners. The aquariums' compact nature circumvents the expensive, complex equipment larger tanks require, as well as eliminates much of the additional costs and maintenance requirements associated with flourishing saltwater ecosystems.

The miniature aquariums seek Kickstarter backing through May 26, 2013, with a few different funding levels available for different types of ecosystem kits.

November 2013 Update: After 2 attempts, the second wrapping up in July 2013, PJ Reefs' desktop saltwater aquarium met its crowdfunding goal. It has not yet shipped to project backers, and does not yet appear to be available for direct purchase. Interested parties should check for progress reports from and direct inquiries to the company's website--follow the link below.